“2020 has been a tough year on everyone, and due to the COVID pandemic the FDPD was unable to have the community events we would normally have,” said Chief Roger Porter. “The one thing I am very proud of is that this did not prevent our officers from thinking outside the box to make some of this happen.”

In lieu of an in-person Santa Cops that usually takes kids shopping, for example, officers and the Fort Dodge Police Association were able to provide gift cards to those affected in 2020, allowing families affected by the pandemic to purchase gifts for Christmas.

“Obviously we are hoping that the pandemic is controlled to the point that we can resume these events in 2021,” Porter said.

But despite the difficulties, the department saw notable promotions with a big retirement and earned some impressive awards.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Samantha Thompson pins a badge to her husband's uniform at a ceremony Friday. Fort Dodge Police Department Sgt. Evan Thompson was promoted from detective after over five years of service at the department.

Capt. Quintin Nelson’s retirement in October after 32 years of service allowed three other officers to be promoted. Capt. Dennis Quinn, formerly a lieutenant; Lt. Donald McLaren, formerly a sergeant; and Sgt. Evan Thompson, formerly a detective, are all eager to impart their experience to younger and less experienced officers in their new roles.

“They’ve shown what they can do over the years,” said Porter before their December swear-in. “These guys have shown … what they provide for leadership within our department. We’re very excited to get them promoted.”

Senior District Court Judge Thomas Bice personally vouched for the character of each officer as he administered their oaths at the investiture ceremony, saying they represented “a new generation of law enforcement in our community,” with education, savviness, and intimate familiarity with Fort Dodge and its communities.

“I’ve seen through my eyes personally, working with these folks, that they exude good judgment,” said Bice. “When it comes to law enforcement, that’s a very important element.”

Together, they all spoke of their hopes to add tools to officers’ mental toolboxes with further training in various areas, mentor younger officers and share the knowledge that can only be gained through experience to solve more crimes and bring justice to Fort Dodge victims.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Captain Dennis Quinn is sworn in as a captain for the Fort Dodge Police Department Friday. He was one of three members promoted.

The Police Department hired Andy Newell in April. Officer Dylan Samuelson, whose father is Sgt. Paul Samuelson, was also hired in November. The latter united the first father and son duo the force has seen in about 20 years. The last one was Kevin Doty, the late retired police chief, who served with son Ryan, now a Des Moines Police officer.

Sgt. Samuelson’s canine, Voodoo, won the Top Dog honor at the 2020 Narcotics Detector Dog Trials hosted by the U.S. Police Canine Association in October.

The annual trial, hosted this year by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, featured 57 dogs competing from around Iowa on narcotics detection skills, both in rooms and in cars.

With a perfect score, Samuelson and Voodoo beat out the competition, including K9s from the Des Moines Police Department and Woodbury County, both in detection skill and speed.

The win is a result of a lot of training, he said, which is honed for at least six to seven hours every week so that the 4-year-old Belgian Malinois is always “ready to go” when duty calls. By law, they are only required to train for four hours per week.

The handler said Voodoo can easily find a single gram of marijuana hidden on a football field.

Though Samuelson has received numerous handling awards, this is his first Top Dog win.

“It’s not so much for me, it’s my dog that’s done a great job,” Samuelson said. “It’s a high honor for my dog.”

Brandi Weinzetl was honored with the Hometown Hero award from Serving Our Servants for her role in processing the crime scene of the late Rev. Al Henderson’s 2019 killing — a fitting recognition from the organization started by the police chaplain. In 2014, Weinzetl became FDPD’s first non-officer to fill the evidence technician position.

After realizing a loss of that magnitude, Weinzetl stood out in the cold, dark night, processing the scene to preserve an element of justice in the midst of grief.

Submitted photo by Jody Chansler
Voodoo, Sgt. Paul Samuelson's canine, won the Top Dog honor at the 2020 Narcotics Detector Dog Trials hosted by the U.S. Police Canine Association.

“I was shocked, I felt very honored that supervisors and coworkers even considered or thought about me like that,” Weinzetl said of her reaction.

“The thin blue line that our law enforcement family famously holds so close and so dear bends to include Brandi Weinzetl,” a social media post from the Police Department said after her award from Serving our Servants.

“It’s an honor to be able to work alongside them now,” Weinzetl said.